Bring This Little Boy Back Home

Hi, I’m R. I’m a 34-year-old tradesman living on the West Coast. I need your help.

My gentle, sweet, resilient partner is in a legal battle with the father of her second child. Instead of speaking with her about his concerns about their child, he has taken videos to make it seem as though there is something bad happening at mom’s house. In reality, we have been trying to train her son to sleep in his own bed and limit his screen time. It’s my suspicion that the child is simply resisting the changes. He is too young to explain himself. He is only acting out against the unfamiliar. With the father, we believe the child has fewer restrictions. We are loving caretakers, and we want the best for her son.

Unfortunately, the father has used the videos to file a court order for emergency 100% custody. Without warning, the little boy who has been a part of my life is gone. As much as it hurts me, I know it's nothing compared to the pain and uncertainty my partner is experiencing. For the last month, she has not been able to tuck her child to bed, take him to the park, wake him in the morning, or comfort him when he cries at night. She moved here from overseas and doesn’t have any family close by. English is not her first language, and some of the language used in court is understandably confusing to her. The whole situation is incredibly overwhelming. I need your help to defend her in court, and bring her child back home.

Retaining a lawyer and paying for supervised visitation has drained her financially. I am helping, but approaching the end of what is possible to spend. I wake up each morning with a knot in my stomach: what if we don’t have enough to continue paying the lawyer? What if the case is drawn out? I would do almost anything for her, and I don’t know how I will tell her there is no more help to give. The last month I have gotten every hour of overtime I can, and found side jobs for the weekend. We have scraped by and made just enough to pay the lawyer, but the battle isn’t over and our resources are finite.

The father comes from a wealthy family. If he wished to, it’s possible he could prolong the court proceedings in a way that we wouldn’t be able to match. The case has already had delays twice. In the past month, we’ve had no choice but to spend upwards of $15,000. Right now, we are up to date on our payments. But if the trend continues, we will be forced to make the heartbreaking decision to try our luck in court without professional assistance. I have a college degree, but I am not a lawyer.

It breaks my heart that I cannot provide assurance that legal fees will be covered. The last month has been incredibly physically and emotionally draining. We need some breathing room. We need a miracle. We need your help.

We’ve had good luck throughout this battle. I have gotten a promotion and we have been able to tighten our budget. Family members have contributed what they can. We’ve been able to make every payment until this point, but there’s no wiggle room. The reality is our paychecks only cover a few hours of a lawyer's time. There are still many hours ahead.

This is the little boy who I have discovered dancing by himself in front of the mirror. Who will cry if I don’t wait for him to come and help when I am taking out the recycling. The boy who is not satisfied until he has crawled over every inch of the playground. The boy who held my father’s hand and gave him a tour of downtown during their last visit. The last time we saw him, he asked us if we were all going on a bike ride soon. He is too young to understand what’s happening.

If you believe in the bond between a mother and her child, please consider donating. Any amount helps. Any amount is appreciated. I am hoping to raise $15,000 to cover the next month's fees. Right now we are on the edge. Please help us get onto solid ground.

From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for your donation.

-R